Project Specialist - Company CIO OfficeCompany CIO Office

Job Description: Business Overview Rakuten is Japan’s largest marketplace and an internet ecosystem offering a wide range of over 70 services, including e-commerce, travel, banking, fintech, food delivery, golf, insurance, instant messaging, and mobile networks. While Rakuten operates more than 140 services worldwide, its Communications & Energy Company is the division responsible for providing communication platforms to information and communications technology (ICT) and international telecommunications operators—primarily in the mobile phone sector—as well as for power and energy-related businesses. Department Overview - The CIO Office is working to strengthen IT strategy and governance at C&E Company, with the aim of accelerating business growth and ensuring sustainable development. - By communicating not only with senior management but also with various stakeholders across the organization, we are working to optimize company-wide management and system administration. Position: Why We Hire This is an expansion-driven hire to support the launch of a new organization. Within the CIO (Chief Information Officer) Office, we are looking for a new member to drive our global IT framework construction, strategic planning, and project leadership. Our mission is to optimize the IT environment and accelerate operational efficiency across the C&E Company, which includes Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony, and Rakuten Communications. In this position, you will be responsible for spearheading various IT projects and strategic initiatives. You will balance mid-to-long-term strategic vision with the continuous optimization of IT processes and corporate systems. Position Details You will lead the advancement of the IT infrastructure and business systems for C&E Company (Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony, and Rakuten Communications). As a member of the CIO organization, you will be responsible for optimizing IT investments directly linked to business strategy, strengthening resilience, and driving digital transformation—a role that supports business growth through technology and data. Job Details This role goes beyond mere “management”; you will act as a "proactive problem solver," serving as a bridge between senior management and the front lines. - Project PMO/Execution Manage the progress, risks, and challenges of ongoing critical IT projects (e.g., infrastructure upgrades, security enhancements, business system overhauls). Identify bottlenecks when projects stall, escalate issues to relevant parties, and lead practical efforts to resolve them. - IT Cost Optimization (IT Governance) Gain visibility into company-wide IT spending and formulate plans to optimize and reduce budgets based on return on investment (ROI). Monitor software licenses and SaaS usage to eliminate waste and consolidate resources. - Data-Driven Management Support Collect and analyze data related to IT asset management and project progress (using BI tools, SQL, and Excel). Create dashboards and generate regular reports on IT investment status and resilience to support executive decision-making. - Cross-Functional Coordination and DX Promotion Serve as a bridge between business units and the IT department to implement IT strategies across the company and coordinate requirements. Lead projects to streamline internal operations and reduce workload through the use of AI and the implementation of automation tools. Scope of Responsibility and Difficulty - Scope of Responsibility: Overseeing the deadlines, budgets, and quality of assigned projects. Ensuring the accuracy of data reported to senior management and the validity of data-driven improvement proposals. - Difficulty: In a large-scale and complex system environment like Rakuten Mobile, where the interests of various stakeholders (business divisions, engineers, and vendors) may conflict, the challenge lies in deriving the “optimal solution for the company as a whole.” Rewards and Appeal - Broad Perspective: Working directly under the CIO, you will develop the ability to view IT strategy from an executive’s perspective. - Complex Environment: By working with Rakuten Mobile’s telecommunications infrastructure—one of the largest in Japan—you’ll gain experience solving highly challenging problems. Required Attitude and Skills - Logical Thinking and Coordination Skills: The ability to reconcile the interests of different departments and build consensus. - English Language Requirements: Ability to negotiate with overseas offices (Rakuten Symphony) and international vendors, as well as prepare documents and correspond via email in English. Work Environment Company CIO Office as a whole has just under 20 members. Our organization as a whole has many mid-career hires, including not only those with experience in the telecommunications industry but also many without any prior industry experience. As a result, the onboarding process for mid-career hires runs smoothly. Even if you have no prior industry or practical experience, this is an environment where you can grow steadily with the support of our experienced team members. Mandatory Qualifications: - At least 3 years of project management experience, such as in PM or PMO roles - Business-level English proficiency Desired Qualifications: - Work experience in the IT and telecommunications industries - Project experience across various industries and business functions #business #communicationsandenergy #director #projectmanager Languages: English (Overall - 3 - Advanced), Japanese (Overall - 4 - Fluent)